A Dangerous Trap!

 

 

 

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
    but trusting the LORD means safety.

 

—Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

 

 

Loving and Caring LORD,

 

Keep me far from the dangerous trap of fearing people—whether it is a fear of what they may think of me, or a fear of what they might try to do to me, or even a fear of what they might choose to do to themselves—and help me find my safety and rest in trusting You.

 

Don’t allow me to let my fear of people keep me from doing that which You have called me to do, or from being who You have called me to be—but help me keep my eyes focused on You, so that I won’t be enslaved by the power that the fear of others can hold over me.

Let me fear You only—to respect, reverence, and honor You with wholehearted trust—knowing that You are well able to turn what others intend for evil into great good, and to protect me and provide for my every need, through Christ Jesus.

And let me fully experience the liberating freedom of rejoicing in all things, by placing them and leaving them all—both the overwhelmingly big and the seemingly small—in Your hands for safe keeping, with the absolute assurance that You are always in control and want the very best for us all.

Keep me far from the dangerous trap of fearing people—whether it is a fear of what they may think of me, or a fear of what they might try to do to me, or even a fear of what they might choose to do to themselves—and help me find my safety and rest in trusting You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

I Have Given Rest . . . and Joy!

 

 

 

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

 

—Jeremiah 31:25 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

O God, the One who sees me,

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

You know me completely! You know how easy it is for me to let the cares of this world weigh me down. So, let me find my rest in You—as I choose to live my life in Christ.

 

You know every sorrow that fills my heart! Yet, You offer to restore me to a place of strength and gladness—as, by Your Holy Spirit, You fill me with the joy of my salvation!

 

So draw me close to You—so I can find rest for my weariness, and joy for my sorrow, in Christ Jesus alone!

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be Still, Don't Worry

 

 

Be still in the presence of the LORD,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

 

—Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

 

 

 

Loving LORD,

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

Help me rest confidently in Your loving presence, far from the restless anxiousness that this life brings. Make me content to be where You have me now, and assured that You never stop working, never stop unfolding Your perfect plan.

 

Help me not to get caught up in fretting over those who seem to be getting away with their evil schemes—who make a game of life and appear to be winning, as they play that game by their own set of rules and leave the truth behind to chase after lies.

 

Help me remain in Your presence and live out my life within the protection that Your instructions promise, never compromising the truth. Help me remember that as I wait for You, You will set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect timing, plan and purpose, and for Your greatest glory.

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Your Refuge, Your Shelter

 

 

If you make the LORD your refuge,

    if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

 

—Psalm 91:9-11 (NLT)

 

 

O LORD my Refuge, my Shelter,

 

Be my only refuge, my shelter from every evil thing. Help me not to wander from the sheltering safety of Your Presence, and order Your angels to protect me, wherever You direct me to go.

 

Help me fix my eyes on You. Don’t let me look to anyone or anything else to be my refuge, my place of protection, from the forces of darkness that seek to destroy me.

 

Be my shelter against all the storms of life—that quiet place of peace and rest, amidst the chaos and turmoil of this world.

 

Help me make Your heart my home, and let my heart beat after Yours alone—so that no plague can ever come near me.

 

Be my only refuge, my shelter from every evil thing. Help me not to wander from the sheltering safety of Your Presence, and order Your angels to protect me, wherever You direct me to go.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Pleasing to You

 

 

May the words of my mouth

    and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

 

—Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

 

 

 

 

Father God,

 

May this simple prayer—and the high and holy standard it sets forth—be true in my life today, so that You would be pleased!

 

Let my heart be so filled with gratitude and love for You, that I would always allow Your love—both for me and for others—to form every word that I say and permeate my every thought! 

 

Let every word that escapes from my lips, go forth with Your blessing—and be released to Your delight, for Your glory, honor, and praise!

 

Let every thought that I invite to dance within my head and dwell within my heart carry Your approval—and bring You great pleasure!

 

Help me live in the truth that my life is not my own to live but is to be lived for the One who is my Rock and my Redeemer, who redeemed me from the consequence of my sin—which was certain death—and gave me a new life, with You, forever!

 

May this simple prayer—and the high and holy standard it sets forth—be true in my life today, so that You would be pleased!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

To Those With Fearful Hearts

 

 

Say to those with fearful hearts,

    “Be strong, and do not fear,

for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.

    He is coming to save you.”

 

—Isaiah 35:4 (NLT)

 

 

Just and Merciful God,

 

In these disquieting times, quiet my fearful heart, so that I can be strong and fearlessly walk the path that You have placed before me—fully believing that soon You will come to destroy my enemies and save me completely from this evil world in which I now live.

 

Help me to see that Your perfect morality is evident in Your complete hatred of immorality—which is, sin—and it leads to Your perfect execution of judgment on all who have sinned.

 

But help me to be assured that Your perfect morality is also revealed in Your absolute and unfailing love for all of humanity—which leads to Your perfect exercise of mercy for those of us who, though we have sinned, have sincerely loved Your Son, Jesus, and placed all our hope in Him.

 

With confidence help me rest in the knowledge that You are coming soon to destroy all that is evil and set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect judgment and mercy, in order to restore us completely to Yourself.

 

In these disquieting times, quiet my fearful heart, so that I can be strong and fearlessly walk the path that You have placed before me—fully believing that soon You will come to destroy my enemies and save me completely from this evil world in which I now live.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Just as Christ!

 

 

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. —1 Peter 2:21-23 (NLT)

 

 

Dear Father God,

 

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it.

 

Thank You for the perfect example set by Your Son, Jesus Christ.  Help me to follow in His steps.

 

Help me to turn my back on sin—and to be obedient to Christ in all my ways 

 

Help me to be honest, open, and transparent in all my affairs—to live in truth and never act deceitfully.

 

When I am reviled or insulted, help me to control my flesh and my thoughts—and choose not to retaliate, or threaten to get even—even when I suffer unjustly as I follow Christ.

 

Help me rest in the peace that comes as I continue to entrust my case, indeed my very life, into Your loving hands—with full confidence that You will always judge fairly.

 

Help me to do good—even if it means suffering because of it.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

God's Way!

 

 God's way is perfect. 

     All the LORD’s promises prove true.

    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

 

—2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT)

 

O LORD, my God,

 

Help me always to trust in Your way—and rest in the integrity of Your character.

 

Help me never doubt that Your way is perfect, because You are perfect—that you are ever-faithful to fulfill Your promises and never-changing in Your love for me.

 

Help me to learn all Your promises—by searching Your Word for them—and then prove them out in my life through my obedience to all that You ask of me.

 

As I surrender my life to You—as I look to You to be my everything—be for me a shield of protection that surrounds me.

 

Help me always to trust in Your way—and rest in the integrity of Your character.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

He Who Dwells

 

 

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 

—Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)

 

Almighty and Most High God,

 

May I always live in Your secret, sheltering place—that place where I find serenity, security, and safety—forever abiding under the shadow of Your Holy Presence!

 

Help me remember that I am drawn into that secret place when I live in constant, prayerful communion with You; as I allow the Truth of Your Word, as revealed by Your Spirit, to fill me; and as I believe and apply Your promises to my life.

 

Help me to find my place of rest in Your shadow—in closest proximity to You, under Your covering, and firmly held in Your everlasting arms of love.

 

Help me not to wander in and out of that secret place, but rather, make it my place of permanent residence—so I can remain under Your protection, provision, and peace—where You are my rescue, refuge and rest, and my only hope, forevermore. 

 

May I always live in Your secret, sheltering place—that place where I find serenity, security, and safety—forever abiding under the shadow of Your Holy Presence!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Fearing People, A Dangerous Trap

 

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
    but trusting the LORD means safety.

—Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)

Loving and Caring LORD,

Keep me far from the dangerous trap of fearing people—whether it is a fear of what they may think of me, or a fear of what they might try to do to me, or even a fear of what they might choose to do to themselves—and help me find my safety and rest in trusting You.

Don’t allow me to let my fear of people keep me from doing that which You have called me to do, or from being who You have called me to be—but help me keep my eyes focused on You, so that I won’t be enslaved by the power that the fear of others can hold over me.

Let me fear You only—to respect, reverence, and honor You with wholehearted trust—knowing that You are well able to turn what others intend for evil into great good, and to protect me and provide for my every need, through Christ Jesus.

And let me fully experience the liberating freedom of rejoicing in all things, by placing them and leaving them all—both the overwhelmingly big and the seemingly small—in Your hands for safe keeping, with the absolute assurance that You are always in control and want the very best for us all.

Keep me far from the dangerous trap of fearing people—whether it is a fear of what they may think of me, or a fear of what they might try to do to me, or even a fear of what they might choose to do to themselves—and help me find my safety and rest in trusting You.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Rest and Joy

 

“For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”

 

—Jeremiah 31:25 (NLT)

 

O God, the One who sees me,

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

You know me completely! You know how easy it is for me to let the cares of this world weigh me down. So, let me find my rest in You—as I choose to live my life in Christ.

 

You know every sorrow that fills my heart! Yet, You offer to restore me to a place of strength and gladness—as, by Your Holy Spirit, You fill me with the joy of my salvation!

 

So draw me close to You—so I can find rest for my weariness, and joy for my sorrow, in Christ Jesus alone!

 

In those times when I become weary, in those times when sorrow fills my heart, may I find in You the rest You promise, and may You strengthen me with inexpressible joy!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

 

Be Still and Wait Patiently

 

Be still in the presence of the LORD,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.

 

—Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

 

Loving LORD,

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

Help me rest confidently in Your loving presence, far from the restless anxiousness that this life brings. Make me content to be where You have me now, and assured that You never stop working, never stop unfolding Your perfect plan.

 

Help me not to get caught up in fretting over those who seem to be getting away with their evil schemes—who make a game of life and appear to be winning, as they play that game by their own set of rules and leave the truth behind to chase after lies.

 

Help me remain in Your presence and live out my life within the protection that Your instructions promise, never compromising the truth. Help me remember that as I wait for You, You will set all things right—every hurt, every offense, every injustice—according to Your perfect timing, plan and purpose, and for Your greatest glory.

 

Bring me into the stillness and peace of Your presence and help me wait patiently for You to act, as You work in me, through me, and all around me. Don’t allow me to worry or fret over evil people, or their wicked schemes, but keep my eyes fixed on You.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My Refuge, My Shelter

 

If you make the LORD your refuge,

    if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you;

    no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels

    to protect you wherever you go.

 

—Psalm 91: 9-11 (NLT)

 

O LORD my Refuge, my Shelter,

 

Be my only refuge, my shelter from every evil thing. Help me not to wander from the sheltering safety of Your Presence, and order Your angels to protect me, wherever You direct me to go.

 

Help me fix my eyes on You. Don’t let me look to anyone or anything else to be my refuge, my place of protection, from the forces of darkness that seek to destroy me.

 

Be my shelter against all the storms of life—that quiet place of peace and rest, amidst the chaos and turmoil of this world.

 

Help me make Your heart my home, and let my heart beat after Yours alone—so that no plague can ever come near me.

 

Be my only refuge, my shelter from every evil thing. Help me not to wander from the sheltering safety of Your Presence, and order Your angels to protect me, wherever You direct me to go.

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

My Mouth and My Heart

 

May the words of my mouth

    and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

 

—Psalm 19:14 (NLT)

 

Father God,

 

May this simple prayer—and the high and holy standard it sets forth—be true in my life today, so that You would be pleased!

 

Let my heart be so filled with gratitude and love for You, that I would always allow Your love—both for me and for others—to form every word that I say and permeate my every thought! 

 

Let every word that escapes from my lips, go forth with Your blessing—and be released to Your delight, for Your glory, honor, and praise!

 

Let every thought that I invite to dance within my head and dwell within my heart carry Your approval—and bring You great pleasure!

 

Help me live in the truth that my life is not my own to live but is to be lived for the One who is my Rock and my Redeemer, who redeemed me from the consequence of my sin—which was certain death—and gave me a new life, with You, forever!

 

May this simple prayer—and the high and holy standard it sets forth—be true in my life today, so that You would be pleased!

 

In the name of Jesus, Amen.